Best Universities to Study Anthropology in Spain

To investigate the society in terms of cultural traits, style of life, and origin in a nation that is very active in anthropological research will be an excellent choice. Spain is a compelling and fun study destination that enables students not only to get qualitative education but also a cherished experience. Universities in Spain provide some of the best degrees in anthropology, covering a wide range of topics related to human existence. Anthropology is defined as the study of humanity, with the goal of illuminating the origins of the human species and exploring the human species’ existence throughout history. Spain has various historical sites, one of which is Atapuerca, which has become Europe’s and the world’s largest hub of anthropology and paleontology.

Here are some of the best universities to study anthropology in Spain: 

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 

Founded in 1968, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is a reference center in Spain and the European Union for its competence in research and teaching. The UAB as a leading public university with a strong international vocation offers Social and Cultural Anthropology studies under the faculty of Social and Legal Sciences. Academic teaching at UAB is multidisciplinary in nature, and it is intimately related to various research initiatives. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a leader in the implementation of numerous action plans with a focus in enhancing sustainability and environmentally friendly measures on campus.

The Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Barcelona in Spain was a pioneer in the establishment of the Degree of Social and Cultural Anthropology and continues to be at the forefront of anthropological research and teaching in the country. The master’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology: Cultural Differences and Transnational Processes (CREOLE) is Spain’s first internationally accepted joint master’s degree program. It provides solid training in modern social and cultural anthropology as well as unique inter-university mobility expertise.

Universidad de León

The aim of Universidad de Leon is to create, disseminate, preserve, and use knowledge for the good of our global community. As an educational hub, it provides studies in a wide range of fields such as Education, Mines, Agronomy, Philosophy and Letters, and Law, among which the Social and Legal Science branch offers the Master’s degree in Ibero-American Anthropology. The Anthropology program prepares inventive and qualified experts for anthropological and critical analysis.

The Master’s degree in Ibero-American Anthropology is all about investigating and analyzing anthropological works in the universal context. You will also learn to develop an analytical profile that is free and open to a variety of systems of thinking and anthropological inclinations. Throughout the completion of the degree, there are a number of offerings such as promotion of research and training of specialists in Anthropology, participation of teachers from a number of national and foreign universities with excellent teaching and research experience, and other anthropology-related activities.

Universitat de Barcelona

The University of Barcelona is the state’s leader in innovation and transfer, as well as a leader in worldwide rankings. The University of Barcelona, founded in 1450, is a comprehensive higher education institution that combines a rich academic legacy with cutting-edge scientific expertise. The values of the University of Barcelona derive from the ideals enshrined in the Statute and embraced by the whole university community: liberty, democracy, justice, equality, and solidarity. This university offers one of the best bachelor’s degrees in Social and Cultural Anthropology. Students who complete this degree will have a wide knowledge of social sciences as well as a better understanding of the discipline’s theoretical and practical disciplines, as well as its methodology and research tools.

The Social and Cultural Anthropology degree, which falls under the Faculty of Geography and History, comprises four academic years. The first year introduces students to anthropology and related basic subject areas; the second and third years provide in-depth knowledge of Anthropology’s fields of study, topics of interest, and applications; and the fourth year focuses on specializations through optional subjects and the completion of a final project.

Universitat Rovira i Virgili

The URV was established in 1991 by the Catalan Parliament from previously existing university faculties and institutions. In this way, the 16th-century Tarragona University was resurrected. Its goal has been quite clear from its inception: to put knowledge at the service of society in order to contribute to the social and economic growth of its surroundings, which has steadily altered through time. For the quality of its teaching, commitment to ongoing training, and expertise in research, development, and innovation, the URV is not only one of the top universities in Catalonia, but also one of the leading institutions in Europe.

The University Master’s degree in Medical Anthropology and Global Health will equip you with a firm foundation in medical anthropology theories, procedures, and approaches. By the end of the course, you will be able to convert social problems into anthropological research questions and turn this research into practical policies that may aid in the creation of social innovations and the discovery of new models for health intervention. The Arts Faculty, which offers a degree in Medical Anthropology and Global Health, is well-known for its high-quality lecturers and well-conducted research. 

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

The Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) is a long-standing institution with widespread social recognition that strives to be among Europe’s premier universities and to establish itself as a reference point for the Latin American continent. Cardinal Cisneros established the modern Complutense University of Madrid in response to Pope Alexander VI’s “Inter cetera” Papal Bull on April 13, 1499. The Faculty of Political and Social Sciences offers the Social and Cultural Anthropology bachelor’s degree that trains specialists in various fields. The branch of Social Sciences has cultivated the discipline of Anthropology since the 18th century and since then it has allowed people to study the variability of human cultures.

The bachelor’s degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology is made up of experts who are up to the challenge of dealing with the complexity that an increasingly multicultural setting involves. It is taught in the Faculty of Political Sciences and Sociology (Somosaguas), which has the resources essential for academic advancement. Furthermore, the UCM’s studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology rank among the top in the world in their field.

Universidad de Valladolid

UVa or Universidad de Valladolid is located in the region of Castilla and Leon, known as the heart of the Spanish language. Since its inception in the thirteenth century, this higher education institution has evolved and adapted to changing circumstances to become one of Spain’s finest universities. Its vast cultural and sports potential, as well as its dedication to society and the environment, combine to provide an extraordinary academic setting equal to Europe’s oldest and most prominent institutions. There are around 20 master’s degrees available in the branch of Social and Legal Sciences, including a Master in Anthropology of Latin America, which strives to develop and convey rigorous knowledge through anthropological research.

The Universities of Salamanca, Valladolid, and León collaborated to organize the University Master’s degree in Anthropology in Latin America. This degree program focuses on anthropological specialty as it relates to the understanding of Ibero-American civilizations. Secondly, there are optional topics that deal with social and, more broadly, humanistic issues, always in connection to the ethnology of the aforementioned socio-cultural area. The Master’s degree in Anthropology in Latin America is ideal for furthering one’s understanding of the Iberian Peninsula’s interaction with Latin America.

Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

The quality of studies is what makes this university a go-to for all international students. The Universidad Autonoma de Madrid’s dedication to excellence implies that it aspires to be one of the top universities in the world, as well as to play a leadership role in the educational, social, cultural, and economic spheres. UAM has significant relationships with institutions and businesses through partnerships, sponsorship programs, and collaborative frameworks. The UAM campuses also provide a full university experience, with a variety of resources such as libraries, museums, and over thirty sports facilities.

The Master of Science in Physical Anthropology: Human Evolution and Biodiversity degree program provides Physical Anthropology practitioners with a sound theoretical and practical foundation. The theoretical foundation allows for a cross-sectional and comprehensive knowledge of human population biology, including evolutionary, ecological, genetic, and ontogenetic elements. The practical background, on the other hand, allows for professional and/or investigative training in laboratory, field, and computer techniques useful for evaluating human biological diversity, as well as learning statistical, forensic, anthropometric methodology, molecular and DNA analysis, and so on.

Bircham International University

Bircham International University is well-known for its remote learning education tailored to the requirements of adult professionals, and alternative to campus-based higher education. Bircham International University is a global education network that is decentralized and composed of three components. Adult distance learning at BIU is extremely adaptable. You may learn whenever and wherever you choose. There is no need to go to a test center. You will be allocated particular texts that will be shipped to you once you have enrolled and the Academic Board at Bircham University has decided on your distance learning study program.     

One can get a degree in anthropology at two levels, bachelor’s and master’s. Bachelor’s degrees illustrate how the four subfields of anthropology — archaeology, ethnology, physical anthropology, and linguistics, work together to produce a holistic picture of mankind. It demonstrates both the diversity of human communities and cultural trends throughout the world, as well as the commonalities that make all humans essentially similar. It also examines the repercussions of industrialism and globalization from an anthropological standpoint. On the other hand, the Master’s degree examines anthropology’s historical history and contemporary theoretical perspectives, providing an interdisciplinary and integrated frame of reference.